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A strong believer in quality education, Engineer Ajewole Damilare has empowered students in Kwara State through his foundation.
The number of students who could not afford the examination fees which is an issue in the state prompted his philanthropic gesture to render help.
Recently, the trained engineer, Ajewole reached out to students in need in the North Central state and especially in Irepodun Local Government Area where he gave scholarships to some students after a quiz competition.
Ajewole who is the founder of Ajewole Damilare Development Foundation in collaboration with All Nigeria Conference of Principal of Secondary School (ANCOPSS) conducted a quiz competition among the student where some students were given scholarships in payment of the coming WAEC, NECO and JAMB examinations.
The first, second and third positions at the quiz competitions drew the fortune to their various schools.
The founder of Ajewolede Development Foundation, in his remark on the final day of the competition lamented the decadence and poor education in the country due to financial incapability of some parents which has led many promising young students to becoming not just dropouts but social miscreants in the society.
He recalled how he was bullied and stigmatised because he could not secure a chair and school locker when he got admitted into the secondary school.
“I was waiting for my brother to finish his secondary education so that I could make use of his locker but when I had the opportunity to be admitted into secondary school because of my performance which led me to a double promotion, I had to sit on the floor each time we had a full class, especially during an exam in my first year in secondary because my brother was yet to finish then,” he narrated.
Continuing, he said, “This and many other things are what bothers me so much and prompted my desire to empower as many students s possible in our society.”
Ajewole however accepts collaboration from well-meaning and passionate individuals or corporate entities to aid his vision which will eventually help to educate many students in the society.
In the same vein, the Chairman of Kwara State chapter of ANCOPSS, Alhaji Toyin Abdullahi at the grand finale of the competition expressed his profound gratitude to the organiser of the program who has taken it as a priority to aid the development of education in the state.
In his statement, he lamented on how the education sector has been neglected and pushed aside in the country which has brought about the setback in the country as a whole. He however expressed his appreciation for the initiative by the young engineer.
“I want to say that we are very proud to associate with your Foundation in this regard, he said, adding that,
“It is a very long time we have seen or witnessed something of this nature happening in our educational efforts; unlike in the past, that this kind of competition and other similar ones were common to ginger our students.
“You are doing this without holding any political position or power but out of your passion and desire to give back to the society that nurtured you.
“I want to say that ANCOPSS is very proud of you and would not hesitate to partner and give you the desired support in other to do more” He said.
He however commended the step taken by the pioneer of the event adding that the association would be glad to partner with the foundation in their future endevours. He also appreciated that it was not a politically motivated event rather, a passion for educational development which is a move in the right direction.
Meanwhile, Comrade Taiwo Edungbola, the Chairman of Irepodun Local Government Area chapter of the Nigeria Union of Teacher (NUT) appreciated the students and participating schools for their patience, efforts, and commitment toward the success of the programme which he admitted was a good move towards educational development and encouragement to the students and their parents.
He, therefore, charged all the students to be focused and more serious with their studies adding that such opportunities would be opened to many of them in the coming period.
The programme recorded a very huge success as many principals, teachers, parents, and students from different schools were in attendance.
Also, several other gifts were given to many participating schools
Engineer Ajewole however appreciated all attendees for their patience and support adding that; it is just the beginning of a good thing to come for the students in Irepodun Local Government Area and Kwara State as a whole.
